RCB News

Chahal: Playing under Kohli in IPL allowed him to know my strengths and weaknesses

Yuzvendra Chahal, India's premier right arm leg break has got another opportunity to prove his potential with the touring Australians taking on India in 5 ODIs and 3 T20Is. Chahal scalped 5 wickets from 4 ODIs and 3 in the lone T20I in Lanka but the Australians are a mightier opposition.

Chahal attributed large part of his relationship with Kohli to IPL where he plays for the Royal Challengers Bangalore under him.

"Playing under him in the IPL has ensured that he has a clear idea as to what is my strength and weakness and I am sure that helps him to decide on how he wishes to use me. Also, I feel that both the IPL and playing for India has its own charm and you need to give it your best every time you walk into the field.

"To me, both are equally important as while I have a city vying for me in the IPL, the country looks up at me to bring smiles every time I wear the national cap."

His challenges will be different but Chahal is relishing his role in the limited overs side. The leg spinner revealed who his 2 mentors in the Indian team are after being asked about the same.

"It is always crucial to have a guiding light, but fortunately for me, I have two in Kohli bhai and Mahi bhai (Dhoni). While the skipper is like a friend, constantly trusting me to go ahead and implement the plans I wish to on the field, Mahi bhai is more like the mentor I turn to every time I have any doubt in my head", Chahal said.

"Being the wicketkeeper, he has a clear idea of what is going on and what could be the ideal strategy against a certain batsman."

Chahal also applauded Kohli for giving him the freedom to toss the ball despite being taken for runs. Kohli had once said that Chahal doesn't fear bowling during any stage of an innings.

"I must say that thanks to the skipper, I now have the confidence to bowl anywhere in the innings and in any situation. Be it the first over of a T20 game or the 50th over of an ODI game, I am ready to go through the grind and give it my best.

And I must say that along with having faith in my own belief, it is the seniors like Kohli bhai and Mahi bhai who make the job of youngsters like me easier."

Chahal will be pairing up with another wrist spinner Kuldeep Yadav and the sight of bowling with him in tandem excites him. "I am really looking forward to it. Not often do you get two wrist spinners bowling in tandem so that makes it all the more special. We will look to complement each other if and when we are given a go."

Talking about his next assignment against Australia, Chahal believed in keeping things simple.

"We will obviously plan for all their players, but too early to talk about it at present. I keep things simple and look to try and do the best I can and not worry too much about the opposition. But then, you do have certain plans for certain batsmen."